Stanford softball beats No.5 Georgia, 3-1

PALO ALTO, Calif. – Junior Lilli Backes pitched a career game in the circle for the fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Sunday’s 3-1, nine-inning loss to No. 11/10 Stanford.

Backes (5-1) pitched a career-long eight innings, tying a career-best 10 strikeouts while walking no Cardinal batters.

Lyndi Rae Davis and Sara Mosley were the lone Bulldogs to pick up a hit in the game. Davis’ hit was a game-tying solo home run in the top of the seventh to give the Dogs (15-3) new life.

After just one combined hit through four and a half innings, Stanford (13-4) broke through the scoreless draw with a one-out home run in the bottom of the fourth to go ahead 1-0.

Down to the Dogs’ final three outs, Davis sent the first pitch of the seventh inning over the wall in left to tie the game and keep the Dogs alive, 1-1.

Backes retired the Cardinal batters in order in the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings.

Sydney Kuma found her way into scoring position in the top of the ninth but was left stranded.

A leadoff triple put the winning run aboard in the bottom of the ninth. Ava Gall hit a two-run home run to right center, lifting the Cardinal to the 3-1 victory.

Georgia returns to Athens to host the Bulldog Classic next weekend. Miami (Ohio), Jacksonville State, and Furman will travel to Athens for the 10-game tournament beginning Friday at Jack Turner Stadium.